Wagering game with popup feature

ABSTRACT

A gaming terminal for playing a video wagering game includes a display and a controller, which is coupled to the display. The controller is programmed to present at least one randomly-selected outcome of a plurality of outcomes on a basic window of the display. The randomly-selected outcome is presented in the form of an array of symbols. A popup window is opened and includes at least one popup symbol. A game outcome is indicated with an arrangement including the at least one popup symbol and at least one symbol of said array of symbols.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to and claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 60/591,741 filed Jul. 28, 2004, titled“Wagering Game With Popup Feature,” which is incorporated herein in itsentirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to gaming terminals for playinga wagering game and, more particularly, to a wagering game having apopup feature.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Gaming terminals, such as slot machines, video poker machines, and thelike, have been a cornerstone of the gaming industry for several years.Generally, the popularity of such terminals with players is dependent onthe likelihood (or perceived likelihood) of winning money at theterminal and the intrinsic entertainment value of the terminal relativeto other available gaming options. Where the available gaming optionsinclude a number of competing terminals and the expectation of winningeach terminal is roughly the same (or believed to be the same), playersare most likely to be attracted to the most entertaining and exciting ofthe terminals.

Consequently, shrewd operators strive to employ the most entertainingand exciting terminals available because such terminals attract frequentplay and, hence, increase profitability to the operator. In thecompetitive gaming terminal industry, there is a continuing need forgaming terminal manufacturers to produce new types of games, orenhancements to existing games, which will attract frequent play byincreasing the entertainment value and excitement associated with thegame.

One concept that has been successfully employed to enhance theentertainment value of a game is that of a “secondary” or “bonus” gamewhich may be played in conjunction with a “basic” game. The bonus gamemay comprise any type of game, either similar to or completely differentfrom the basic game, and is entered upon the occurrence of a selectedevent or outcome of the basic game. Such a bonus game produces asignificantly higher level of player excitement than the basic gamebecause it provides a greater expectation of winning than the basicgame.

One problem with some games is that they cause a drastic change ofscreens, generally, from a basic screen to a bonus screen when a bonusgame is triggered. This screen change may cause a perception in someplayers that a totally different, and undesired, game is being played.For example, a player that is comfortable and familiar with certainvisual characteristics of a basic game, such as a game theme or a gamesymbol appearance, may feel frustrated if those visual characteristicsdisappear. The visual characteristics temporarily disappear when thescreen changes, consequently causing potential dissatisfaction in theplayer

To further player excitement, some games provide blind selections whichreveal hidden symbols upon selection. An example is a scratch ticketthat may provide a hidden reward, or “surprise,” for a player thatscratches off the layer covering the hidden symbol representing thereward. Some current video games provide an initial symbol that isdisplayed in an array of symbols during a basic game, and a hiddensymbol that replaces the initial symbol during the basic game if apredetermined condition is met. A problem with this type of video gamesis that the player may not even realize that a symbol has been replaced.For example, if the player is temporarily distracted while the initialsymbol is being replaced with the hidden symbol, the player may not evenrealize that he or she has gained something, i.e., an award associatedwith the hidden symbol. Thus, the player may totally miss the purpose ofthe game play.

Thus, there is a need to overcome the problems associated with gamingterminals having wagering games. The present invention is directed tosatisfying this and other needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A gaming terminal for playing a video wagering game includes a displayand a controller, which is coupled to the display. The controller isprogrammed to present at least one randomly-selected outcome of aplurality of outcomes on a basic window of the display. Therandomly-selected outcome is presented in the form of an array ofsymbols. A popup window is opened and includes at least one popupsymbol. A game outcome is indicated with an arrangement including the atleast one popup symbol and at least one symbol of said array of symbols.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of conducting avideo wagering game includes randomly selecting at least one outcomefrom a plurality of outcomes in response to receiving a wager from aplayer. The method further includes presenting an array of symbols on abasic window of a display, and opening a popup window having at leastone popup symbol. A game outcome is indicated by an arrangementincluding at least one popup symbol and at least one symbol of the arrayof symbols.

In an alternative aspect of the present invention, a gaming terminal forplaying a video wagering game includes a housing having wager-inputmeans and a video display. The video display displays a basic window anda popup window. The basic window includes an array of symbols thatindicate a randomly-selected outcome from a plurality of outcomes,wherein the randomly-selected outcome is selected in response to a wagerinput via the wager-input means. The bonus game is triggered by apredetermined outcome of the plurality of outcomes. The popup window isoverlying at least a portion of the basic window and includes aplurality of popup symbols. A bonus game outcome is indicated by anarrangement including at least one symbol of the array of symbols and atleast one symbol of the plurality of popup symbols.

In an alternative aspect of the present invention, a method for playinga video wagering game includes displaying to a player arandomly-selected outcome from a plurality of outcomes on a displaydevice for playing a video wagering game. The randomly-selected outcomeis presented in the form of an array of symbols. In response to therandomly-selected outcome being a pop-up window outcome, a popup windowis displayed on the display device such that at least a portion of thearray of symbols is visible. The popup window includes a plurality ofplayer-selectable elements, wherein at least one of the plurality ofplayer-selectable elements forms an arrangement with at least one symbolof the portion of the array of symbols that is visible. A game outcomeof said wagering game is indicated via the arrangement.

The above summary of the present invention is not intended to representeach embodiment, or every aspect, of the present invention. Additionalfeatures and benefits of the present invention are apparent from thedetailed description, figures, and claims set forth below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates a gaming terminal that is useful for displaying awild-card feature in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a control system that is used in conjunction with thegaming terminal of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a bonus game screen with a popup feature beforerevealing a hidden symbol.

FIG. 4 illustrates the game screen of FIG. 3 after revealing a hiddensymbol.

FIG. 5 illustrates a bonus game screen according to an alternativeembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a bonus game screen having an independent reel,according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a bonus game screen moving across a basic gamescreen, according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a bonus game screen rotating over a basic gamescreen, according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments are shown by way of example inthe drawings and are described in detail herein. It should beunderstood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited tothe particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover allmodifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spiritand scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, a gaming terminal 10 is used in gamingestablishments such as casinos. With regard to the present invention,the gaming terminal 10 may be any type of gaming terminal and may havevarying structures and methods of operation. For example, the gamingterminal 10 may be a mechanical gaming terminal configured to playmechanical slots, or it may be an electromechanical or electrical gamingterminal configured to play a video casino game, such as blackjack,slots, keno, poker, etc.

The gaming terminal 10 includes input devices, such as a wager acceptor16 a, 16 b, a touch screen 21, a push-button panel 22, and aplayer-identification card reader 24. For output, the gaming terminal 10includes a main display 26 for displaying information about the basicwagering game. The main display 26 can also display information about abonus wagering game and a progressive wagering game. The gaming terminal10 also includes a secondary game display 27 for displaying the bonuswagering game, or for displaying award amounts of a progressive game.While these typical components found in the gaming terminal 10 aredescribed below, it should be understood that numerous other elementsmay exist and may be used in any number of combinations to createvarious forms of a gaming terminal.

The wager acceptor 16 a, 16 b may be provided in many forms,individually or in combination. The wager acceptor 16 a, 16 b mayinclude a coin slot acceptor 16 a or a bill validator 16 b to inputvalue to the gaming terminal 10. Or, the wager acceptor 16 a, 16 b mayinclude a card-reading device for reading a card that has a recordedmonetary value with which it is associated. The card may also authorizeaccess to a central account, which can transfer money to the gamingterminal 10.

A payout mechanism 23 performs the reverse functions of the wageracceptor 16. For example, the payout mechanism 23 may include a coindispenser or a note dispenser to output value from the gaming terminal10. Also, the payout mechanism 23 may also be adapted to receive a cardthat authorizes the gaming terminal to transfer credits from the gamingterminal 10 to a central account.

The push button panel 22 is typically offered, in addition to the touchscreen 21, to provide players with an option on how to make their gameselections. Alternatively, the push button panel 22 provides inputs forone aspect of operating the game, while the touch screen 21 allows forinputs needed for another aspect of operating the game.

The operation of the basic wagering game is displayed to the player onthe main display 26. The main display 26 can also display the bonus gameassociated with the basic wagering game. The main display 26 may takethe form of a cathode ray tube (CRT), a high resolution LCD, a plasmadisplay, a LED, or any other type of video display suitable for use inthe gaming terminal 10. As shown, the main display 26 includes the touchscreen 21 overlaying the entire monitor (or a portion thereof) to allowplayers to make game-related selections. Alternatively, the gamingterminal 10 may have a number of mechanical reels to display the gameoutcome.

The player-identification card reader 24 allows for the identificationof a player by reading a card with information indicating his or hertrue identity. Currently, the identification is used by casinos forrewarding certain players with complimentary services or special offers.For example, a player may be enrolled in the gaming establishment'splayers' club and may be awarded certain complimentary services as thatplayer collects points in his or her player-tracking account. The playerinserts his or her card into the player-identification card reader 24,which allows the casino's computers to register that player's wageringat the gaming terminal 10.

A player begins play of the basic wagering game by inserting a wagerinput into the wager input accepter 16 a, 16 b of the gaming terminal10. A player can select play by either using the touch screen 21 or thepush-button panel 22. The basic game consists of a plurality of symbolson a plurality of reels that are displayed along a plurality ofpaylines, yielding a plurality of outcomes of the basic game. Suchoutcomes are randomly selected in response to the wagering input by theplayer. One of the plurality of randomly-selected outcomes is astart-bonus outcome, which can include any variations of symbols orsymbol combinations triggering a bonus game.

As shown in FIG. 2, the various components of the gaming terminal 10 arecontrolled by a central processing unit (CPU) 30, also referred to as aprocessor (such as a microprocessor or microcontroller). To provide thegaming functions, the CPU 30 executes one or more game programs. The CPU30 performs the random selection of an outcome from the plurality ofoutcomes of the wagering game. Alternatively, the random selection of anoutcome may be performed remotely by a CPU that is networked to thegaming terminal 10 but is not a component of the gaming terminal 10. TheCPU 30 is also coupled to or includes a system memory 32. The systemmemory 32 may comprise a volatile memory 33 (e.g., a random-accessmemory (RAM)) and a non-volatile memory 34 (e.g., an EEPROM). It shouldbe appreciated that the CPU 30 may include one or more microprocessors.Similarly, the memory 32 may include multiple RAM and multiple programmemories.

Communications between the peripheral components of the gaming terminal10 and the CPU 30 occur through input/output (I/O) circuits 35a. Assuch, the CPU 30 also controls and receives inputs from the peripheralcomponents of the gaming terminal 10. Further, the CPU 30 communicateswith external systems via the I/O circuits 35b. Although the I/Ocircuits 35 may be shown as a single block, it should be appreciatedthat the I/O circuits 35 may include a number of different types of I/Ocircuits.

The gaming terminal 10 is typically operated as part of a game controlnetwork 50 having control circuitry and memory devices. The game controlnetwork 50 may optionally include a system memory 52 for alternativestorage of data. The gaming terminal 10 often has multiple serial ports,each port dedicated to providing data to a specific host computer systemthat performs a specific function (e.g., accounting system,player-tracking system, progressive game control system, etc). To set upa typical serial communication hardware link to the host system, thetypical RS-232 point-to-point communication protocol that is oftenpresent in the gaming terminal 10 is converted to an RS-485 (orRS-485-type) master-slave protocol so as to take advantage of some ofthe advantages of the RS-485 capability (e.g., multi-drop capabilitythat allows many gaming terminals 10 to communicate with the gamecontrol network 50). To perform this function, a custom interface boardmay be used by the gaming terminal 10 for each communication port in thegaming terminal 10. It should be noted that the gaming terminal 10 caninitially be designed to be configured for a typical RS-485 protocol,instead of the typical RS-232 protocol. Further, the gaming terminal 10may simply be designed for an Ethernet connection to the game controlnetwork 50.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the main display 26 includes a basic window 59having a plurality of reels 60 a-60 b (collectively referred to as reels60), a plurality of paylines 62, and a popup window 70. The reels 60have a plurality of basic symbols 68 that form an array for indicatingan outcome of a basic wagering game. If the outcome is a popup Windowoutcome, a popup window 70 is opened. The popup window outcome will begenerally referred to as a popup game, which can be considered a part ofa basic wagering game, a bonus wagering game, or both.

The popup window 70 is opened within the basic window 59 and overlaps atleast a portion of the basic window 59. As shown in FIG. 3, the popupwindow 70 overlaps three of the reels 60, i.e., the center reel 60 c andthe rightmost reels 60 d-60 e. However, the two leftmost reels 60 a, 60b are not obscured. The popup window includes a plurality of popupsymbols, or selections, such as a plurality of blind selections 72 and avisible symbol 74. In one embodiment, the plurality of blind selections72 surround the visible symbol 74. Each of the blind selections 72 showsa similar bonus symbol that covers, or hides, a hidden symbol. The blindselections 72 are player-selectable elements that initially hide anaward/outcome, which is revealed after being selected. The visiblesymbol 74 shows an image of an elephant head. As shown, eight blindselections 72 are located around the visible symbol 74 with three blindselections 72 located on either side (left, right, top, and bottom).Thus, the popup window 70 shows a three-by-three matrix consisting of amix of the blind selections 72 and the visible symbol 74.

After selecting one of the blind selections 72, the hidden symbol thatis associated with the respective blind selection 72 is revealed. InFIG. 4, two elephant symbols 72 a, 72 b have been revealed. Thearrangement formed by at least one of the basic symbols 68, which hasnot been obscured by the popup window 70, and at least one of the popupsymbols 72, 74 is used to indicate the outcome of the basic or bonusgame being played. For example, a winning combination may be indicatedif one of the hidden symbols 72 matches one of the basic symbols 68.According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, a winning combination hasnot resulted because neither one of the elephant symbols 72 a, 72 bmatches any of the visible, or unobscured, basic symbols 68.

Alternatively, the revealing of a hidden symbol 72 can show a winningcombination if the arrangement also includes the visible symbol 74.Optionally, a combination of all the revealed hidden symbols 72 can showa winning combination if they form a predetermined arrangement with oneor more of the basic symbols 68. For example, revealing two hiddensymbols 72 of the same kind shows a winning combination independently oftheir arrangement, or location, on the popup window 70 if a basic symbol68 is a popsicle symbol. According to this embodiment, the two elephantsymbols 72 a, 72 b that are displayed in FIG. 4 show a winningcombination because a popsicle symbol 68 is displayed in the basicwindow 59.

The visible symbol 74 can have game-play functionality, aestheticfunctionality, or both. Thus, the visible symbol 74 can be used in thearrangement of symbols that indicates a winning combination, the visiblesymbol 74 can provide a visually entertaining background, or can doboth. Further, the visible symbol 74 can be located anywhere on thepopup window 70, and can randomly change from one game to another gameor during a specific game. The visible symbol 74 can optionally mirrorthe most current revealed hidden symbol 72. For example, if a player hasjust selected an elephant symbol 72 b, the visible symbol 74 can providean entertaining animation using an elephant symbol 74.

In general, a player starts playing a basic game shown in the basicwindow 59 and triggers a popup window outcome. In response, the popupwindow 70 appears and covers a portion of the basic window 59. Forexample purposes only, it is assumed that a winning combination has beendetermined if a popsicle symbol 68 is displayed in the basic window 59and two elephant symbols 72 are displayed in the popup window 70. Thepopsicle symbol 68 is already displayed in the basic window 59. Theplayer is prompted to make two selections. After making a firstselection, the hidden symbol 72 a is revealed giving the player anillusion that a cover that obscures the hidden symbol 72 a has beenscratched off the surface of the popup window 70. The hidden symbol 72 ais an elephant symbol that matches the elephant shown as the visiblesymbol 74. The player will receive an award if the player selects onemore elephant symbol. The player is prompted to make another selection,and the hidden symbol 72 b is revealed to be another elephant symbol.Accordingly, the player will receive a reward.

When the popup game is over, the popup window 70 is removed from thebasic window 59 and the basic game is resumed. For example, the popupgame can end when a stop-selecting hidden symbol 72 is revealed.Alternatively, the popup window 70 is removed in response to the playerselecting one of the blind selections 72 that is not associated with anaward, e.g., “You Lose.” Optionally, any awards that are associated withunselected ones of a plurality of blind selections 72 are revealed priorto the removal of the popup window 70.

In an alternative embodiment, shown in FIG. 5, a main display 126includes a basic window 159 having a plurality of reels 160 a-160e, aplurality of paylines 162, and a popup window 170. The popup window 170includes a plurality of popup symbols, having a plurality of blindselections 172 and a visible symbol 174. After selecting three blindselections 172 a-172 c, three hidden symbols 172 a-172 c are revealedshowing three popsicles. A popup outcome is indicated based on anarrangement of one or more of the hidden symbols 172 a-172 c and one ormore of a plurality of basic symbols 168 shown in reels 160 a-160e. Forexample, having five symbols of the same kind in a row can result in awinning combination. Thus, a winning outcome may be shown by having twopopsicle symbols 168 a, 168 b in two reels 160 a, 160 b of the basicwindow 159 and three popsicle symbols 172 a-172 c in the popup window170, all the symbols being aligned along an active payline 162.Optionally, a winning combination may be indicated based on anyarrangement formed between any symbol in reels 160 a-160 e, which arelocated in the basic window 159, and any symbol in the popup window 170,i.e., the visible symbol 174 and the hidden symbols 172.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a main display 226 includes a basic window 259having a plurality of reels 260 a-206 e, a plurality of paylines 262,and a popup window 270. The basic window includes a plurality of basicsymbols 268. The popup window 270 includes a plurality of popup symbols,having blind selections 272. In addition, the popup window 270 includesan independent reel 273. The reel 273 is shown in motion and includes aplurality of visible symbols 274. When the popup window 270 appears, theindependent reel 273 can be set in motion to randomly select a visiblesymbol 274. Alternatively, the independent reel 273 can be set in motionat any point while the popup window 270 is open. As described in theabove embodiments, the visible symbol 274 that is displayed in theindependent reel 273 can have a variety of functions. Optionally, eachone of the popup symbols can be replaced by an independent reel, eachreel having its own set of popup symbols.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a main display 326 includes a basic window 359having a plurality of reels 360 a-360 e, a plurality of paylines 362,and a popup window 370. The popup window 370 includes a plurality ofpopup symbols, having blind selections 372 and a visible selection 374.In this embodiment, the popup window 370 is moving across the basicwindow 359. The popup window 370 can move continuously or intermittentlyduring bonus game-play. For example the popup window 370 can move onlywhen a selection has been made or only when a winning combination hasoccurred. Any of a plurality of revealed hidden symbols 372 a-372 e canbe used in combination with any of a plurality of basic symbols 368 toindicate a winning combination or outcome. Assuming that a combinationincluding three tiger symbols 372 a-372 c and a “Please Don't Feed TheAnimals” symbol 368 a is a winning combination, in one embodiment thepopup window 370 moves to provide visual entertainment for the playerwhen the winning combination is produced. Alternatively, the popupwindow 370 can move to show a particular basic symbol 368 in the basicwindow 359 for making a determination whether an arrangement between thebasic symbols 368 in the basic window 359 and the popup symbols 372, 374will show a winning combination.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a main display 426 includes a basic window 459having a plurality of reels 460 a-460e, a plurality of paylines 462, anda popup window 470. The basic window 459 includes a plurality of basicsymbols 468, and the popup window 470 includes a plurality of popupsymbols 472. The popup window 470 rotates over the basic window 459providing a different gaming experience for a player. Optionally, any ofthe popup symbols 472 can rotate or move within the popup window 470.

In alternative embodiments, other variations can be made using any ofthe above-described embodiments and/or other embodiments. For example,after a popup window has been opened over a basic window, one or moreadditional popup windows can be opened over the original popup window.Thus, if a predetermined condition is met during a popup game played inthe original popup window, the player may proceed to an advanced popupgame that is played in a secondary popup window. The secondary popupwindow can be contained within the original popup window, the basicwindow, or both.

The popup symbols can be fixed or movable. For example, a plurality ofpopup symbols can move continuously, or intermittently, around a visiblesymbol during a bonus game. Similarly, the visible symbol can movecontinuously, or intermittently, within the popup window during a bonusgame.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by wayof example in the drawings and herein described in detail. It should beunderstood, however, that it is not intended to limit the invention tothe particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is tocover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling withinthe spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

1. A gaming terminal for playing a video wagering game, comprising: adisplay; and a controller coupled to said display and programmed topresent at least one randomly-selected outcome of a plurality ofoutcomes on a basic window of said display, said randomly-selectedoutcome being presented in the form of an array of symbols, open a popupwindow having at least one popup symbol, and indicate a game outcomewith an arrangement including said at least one popup symbol and atleast one symbol of said array of symbols.
 2. The gaming terminal ofclaim 1, wherein said controller is further programmed to open saidpopup window in response to a triggering condition associated with atleast one symbol of said array of symbols.
 3. The gaming terminal ofclaim 1, wherein said popup window is in a fixed location overlayingsaid basic window.
 4. The gaming terminal of claim 1, wherein said popupwindow is rotatable over said basic window.
 5. The gaming terminal ofclaim 1, wherein said at least one popup symbol is located in a fixedlocation on said popup window.
 6. The gaming terminal of claim 1,wherein said at least one popup symbol is located in an independentreel.
 7. The gaming terminal of claim 1, wherein said at least one popupsymbol is a hidden symbol, said hidden symbol being revealed upon beingselected.
 8. The gaming terminal of claim 7, said controller beingfurther programmed to trigger a bonus game upon revealing said hiddensymbol.
 9. The gaming terminal of claim 8, said controller being furtherprogrammed to open a secondary popup window for presenting said bonusgame.
 10. The gaming terminal of claim 1, wherein said popup windowincludes a first popup symbol and a second popup symbol, said firstpopup symbol being a hidden symbol, said second popup symbol being avisible symbol, said arrangement including said hidden symbol and saidvisible symbol.
 11. A method of conducting a video wagering game,comprising: randomly selecting a game outcome from a plurality ofoutcomes in response to receiving a wager from a player; presenting anarray of symbols on a basic window of a display; opening a popup windowhaving at least one popup symbol; and indicating said game outcome by anarrangement including said at least one popup symbol and at least onesymbol of said array of symbols.
 12. The method of claim 11, furthercomprising opening said popup window in response to a triggeringcondition associated with at least one symbol of said array of symbols.13. The method of claim 11, further comprising moving said popup windowover said basic window.
 14. The method of claim 11, further comprisingdisplaying said at least one popup symbol in motion on said popupwindow.
 15. The method of claim 11, further comprising displaying saidat least one popup symbol in rotation on said popup window.
 16. Themethod of claim 11, further including displaying said at least one popupsymbol in an independent reel of said popup window.
 17. The method ofclaim 1, further including displaying said at least one popup symbol asa hidden symbol.
 18. The method of claim 17, further including revealingsaid at least one popup symbol upon selection.
 19. The method of claim18, further comprising triggering a bonus game in response to saidrevealing of said hidden symbol.
 20. The method of claim 19, furthercomprising opening a secondary popup window for presenting said bonusgame.
 21. The method of claim 20, further comprising displaying at leastone secondary popup symbol in said secondary popup window.
 22. A gamingterminal for playing a video wagering game, comprising: a housing havingwager-input means; and a video display for displaying a basic window anda popup window, said basic window having an array of symbols thatindicate a randomly-selected outcome from a plurality of outcomes, saidrandomly-selected outcome being selected in response to a wager inputvia said wager-input means, said popup window being triggered by apredetermined outcome of said plurality of outcomes, wherein, said popupwindow is overlying at least a portion of said basic window and includesa plurality of popup symbols, a game outcome being indicated by anarrangement including at least one symbol of said array of symbols andat least one symbol of said plurality of popup symbols.